Door corner edge guard

ABSTRACT

A corner edge guard for the trailing edge of a swinging closure wherein the trailing edge is defined by surface which intersect at approximately 90° to form a corner. The edge guard comprises legs which are also arranged at approximately a 90° angle with the edge guard being disposed in covering a relationship to the corner. Screws pass through spaced apart holes in one of the legs to urge that leg flat against one surface of the trailing edge. The edge guard is constructed and arranged such that concurrently with the fastening of the edge guard to the trailing edge, the distal end of the other leg forcefully bears against the other surface of the trailing edge. Preferably insulating means is disposed between the metal of the edge guard channel and the trailing edge. Various embodiments of corner edge guards are enclosed.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to edge guards for application to thetrailing edges of swinging closures such as an automobile's doors. Morespecifically the invention relates to an improvement in a door edgeguard for a corner of the door edge.

Applicant is the inventor of a number of patents relating to door edgeguards. He is also the inventor in a number of pending patentapplications on the same subject which are known to the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office by virtue of their pendency. For the most partapplicant's previous inventions on this subject relate to door edgeguards which are self-retaining on the door edge. An advantage of suchdoor edge guards is that they do not require the use of separatefasteners in order to secure them on the door edge. Applicant has alsoinvented door edge guards in which insulating material is providedbetween the metal of the edge guard and the door edge so that the metalof the edge guard is insulated from the metal of the door edge tothereby guard against adverse effects, such as corrosion, rusting, etc.where dissimilar metals are present. The incorporation of a layer ofinsulating material has also been extended by the applicant to theexterior of the door edge guard so that various color coordinationschemes can be developed through the selective application of insulationto the particular formation of the metal strip from which the edge guardis formed.

The self-retaining door edge guards are adapted for application to whatis commonly called a hem flange which exists at the trailing edge ofaost automobile doors. The hem flange is a relatively thin edge having athickness for example on the order of 1/8 inch. Some doors do notpossess this type of construction. Rather their trailing edge is muchthicker and therefore it is not well adapted for self-retaining typeedge guards. Such a door edge however does have an outside corner whichis susceptible to damage wben the door is opened into the path of anobject which may be present. Hence there is still a need for a door edgeguard for application to the outside corner of this door's trailingedge. It may also happen that doors of this type have a compound contourfor their outside corner which curves in different directions. In otherwords it is not simply a straight line or even a simple curve but rathera compound curvature.

The present invention is directed to a door edge guard which is wellsuited for use with this latter type of a door edge. The invention isadapted for edge guards consisting solely of metal, but preferably ofinsulated metal wherein a layer of nonmetallic insulating materialprotects the metal of the edge guard from the door edge. Insulation mayalso be provided on the exterior so as to provide desired exterior colorcoordination effects with the colors of the automobile body. Theinvention may also be practiced in various embodiments having differentcross sectional forms, as will be herein disclosed.

The foregoing features, advantages, and benefits of the invention, alongwith additional ones, will be seen in the ensuing description and claimswhich should be considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. The drawings disclose a preferred embodiment of the inventionaccording to the best mode contemplated at the present time in carryingout the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an automobile containing a dooredge guard embodying principles of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken generally in the direction of arrows 2--2 in FIG.1, and enlarged, illustrating a view of the contour of the door edgewithout the door edge guard.

FIG. 3 is a view taken generally in the direction of arrows 3--3 in FIG.1 showing the relationship of the edge guard on the door edge.

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary view in the direction of arrow 3A in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the door edge guard of FIG. 3 shown by itself.

FIG. 5 is an end view of another door edge guard shown by itself.

FIG. 6 is an end view of a further door edge guard shown by itself.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are end views corresponding respectively to the viewsof FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 but showing modified forms.

FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 are end views corresponding respectively to FIGS.4, 5, and 6 illustrating other modified forms.

FIG. 13 is an end view illustrating a further embodiment of edge guard.

FIG. 14 an end view illustrating still another embodiment of edge guard.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates an automobile 20 having a door 22 whose trailing edgecontains a door corner edge guard 24 embodying principles of theinvention. The shape is seen from consideration of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3,and in particular FIG. 3 shows that the door trailing edge 26 is definedin part by the exterior surface 28 of the door and the end surface 30which is generally at a right angle to surface 28. As such, the door hasan outer corner 32 defined at the juncture of the exterior surface 28and the end surface 30. The door construction is composed of metal panelmembers such as 34, 35. It is the outer corner 32 of the door trailingedge 26 which the edge guard 24 of the present invention is adapted toprotect.

Edge guard 24 is an elongate member which is conformed in curvature tothe curvature of the corresponding portion of the door trailing edge 26which it is intended to guard. The length of the edge guard may besubstantially all or a lesser fraction of the overall length of thetrailing edge.

From consideration of FIGS. 1 and 2 it can be seen that the outer corneredge 32 of the door has a compound curvature. The present inventionprovides a door edge guard which is adapted to fit with conformity ontothis type of curvature although it may be used with other types of dooredges having different curvatures. It is to be appreciated where thecurvature of the door edge becomes extreme, it may be desirable to makecertain modifications to the basic cross section if it is desired tohave the edge guard bridge these regions of extreme change in curvaturealthough the invention is well suited to conforming to many curvatureswithout any alteration of its basic cross sectional shape. Theseadditional procedures may involve notching and bending, embossing, orother similar types of procedures.

Edge guard 24 is formed from an insulated metal strip wherein the metalis identified by the reference numeral 40 and the insulation by thereference numeral 42. Where a portion of the metal is exposed, it ispreferable to use a decorative and durable material such as stainlesssteel for example. In other embodiments hereinafter described where themetal is not exposed, lesser grades of metal may alternatively be used.When viewed endwise or in transverse cross section, the edge guard isseen to possess a generally right angle channel shape. For explanation,the edge guard may be considered to comprise an outer leg 44 which isdisposed against the exterior door surface 28 and a back leg 46 which isdisposed against the end surface 30. The leg 46 is shown to beessentially straight and flat. A bead 47 is formed at the distal end ofleg 46 by reverse turning the insulated metal strip outwardly backagainst itself in the manner shown. Preferably the degree of reverseturning is such that metal to metal contact results.

The two legs 44, 46 merge in a curved bend section 48 which may beconsidered to have approximately a 90° curvature as depicted in FIG. 4.The outer leg 44 extends from this section 48 in a forward direction. Itcomprises an inwardly curved offset section 50 extending from section48. From the offset section 50, the leg extends in a straighter section52 and the distal end is provided with a bead 54 by reverse turning themargin of the insulated metal strip outwardly back against itself,preferably so that metal-to-metal contact results in a similar manner tothe formation of bead 47 in leg 46. The extent of the offset section 50in relation to the rest of leg 44 is such that the exterior of bead 54is generally flush with the point where the curved bend section 50merges with section 48. This is exemplified by the broken line 56.

The layer of insulating material 42 is applied to one side of the metalstrip 40 from which the edge guard is formed. This may be done inaccordance with procedures which are the subjects of other ofapplicant's inventions. As such the layer may be formed by extrusion,lamination or other procedures, by way of example.

From consideration of FIG. 3 it can be seen that the nonmetallicinsulating material is disposed between the edge guard metal 40 from thepainted metal of door 22.

Moreover, the formation of bead 54 by reverse turning the margin of thestrip results in a portion of the insulating material being disposed onthe exterior of the door. This presents the appearance of a banddesignated by the reference numeral 58. By making this band of a desiredcolor, various color coordination schemes may result. Alternatively theinsulation could be made of a metallic color closely matching the metal40.

The corner edge guard has no self-retention capability by itself on door22. Accordingly separate fasteners are used to make the attachment. Forthis purpose holes 60 are provided in leg 46 at intervals along thelength of the door guard and fasteners such as headed screws 62 arepassed through holes 60 and into corresponding aligned holes 64 in theend of the door. The screws can be of the self-tapping type and so sizedthat they clear holes 60 while cutting threads into the holes 64 as theyare being installed. Where a bead such as the bead 47 might interferewith a flush fit of the screw heads against the back leg, the bead maybe notched as at 66 to yield clearance for the screw heads in the mannershown. Whether notching is appropriate will depend upon each particularusage and upon the size of the screw head and the dimensions of the dooredge guard's back leg.

By making leg 46 flat, it is rendered well-suited for being pressed flatagainst the end surface 30 of the door edge as the screws 62 aretightened with the insulating layer being conformed in between. Becausethere may be metal-to-metal contact between the heads of the screws andthe metal 40, and because the screws shanks thread into the metal of thedoor, there can be continuity between the metal of the door edge guardand the door itself via the screws. By the flat mounting, and by makingthe metals of similar characteristics, i.e. both steel, the developmentof undesired detrimental effects such as corrosion is more or lessinhibited even though there is metal-to-metal continuity through thefasteners. As will be seen, further inhibition of detrimental effectscan be alleviated by some of the other embodiments hereinafterdisclosed. Alternatively the use of non-metallic fasteners could beemployed in some applications.

The edge guard is so dimensioned in its cross section that when it isinstalled on the corner edge the beaded end 54 of the outer leg 44 willbe urged to forcefully bear against the exterior surface. This is doneby a suitable dimensioning of the hole 64 from the exterior surface 28in relation to the location of holes 60, 64 relative to leg 44. Hence asthe back leg 46 is being urged flat against the end surface 30 of theedge, the fastening action is also effective to cause the beaded distalend of the outer leg to forcefully bear against the exterior surface 28.In this way the edge guard is conformed to the trailing edge at thecorners where the countour of the corner edge is straight, has simplecurvature, or even has compound curvature.

The construction of the sections 48 and 50 serves to provide strength tothe edge guard and it also provides a space 68 between the door and theedge guard through which any moisture which might collect in the spacecan drain. The strengthening is well adapted to protect the corner edgeof the door from impact.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of edge guard 70. The shape of edgeguard 70 is exactly like edge guard 24 of FIG. 4 except in two respects.First, it includes two parallel ridges 72, 74 which are formed in leg46. The ridges are deformed outwardly away from end surface 30 so thatthe back leg 46 can still be disposed flat against the end surface 30when the edge guard is installed on the trailing edge. Embodiment 70also differs in that bead 47 is omitted. While bead 47 provides acertain amount of stiffening to the leg which is useful in certaininstances, the ridges 72, 74 also impart a certain stiffening such thatthe bead 47 can be omitted. If there is interference between ridges 72,74 and the head of the screws used to fasten the edge guard to the dooredge, such interference may not be objectionable. However the beadscould be flattened locally where the screw heads bear against the leg orthere could be notching in a matter analogous to that described for thebead 47 in FIG. 3. The use of like reference numerals in FIG. 5, as wellas the ensuing drawing figures is intended to represent like parts,previously described in connection with FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a still further embodiment 80 which is exactly likethe embodiment 24 of FIG. 4 except that the bead 47 is omitted. Althoughnot shown in the drawings, there could be additional embodiments whereinthe use of bead 47 is combined with one or both of the ridges 72, 74.

FIG. 7, 8, and 9 portray respective embodiments 90, 100, and 110 whichare exactly like the embodiments of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 except that theentire cross section of the metal 40 is covered with a layer ofinsulating material 42. Such a layer can be provided by extrudingplastic material onto the metal strip 40 in the flat before it is formedto the illustrated cross section. Both the major surfaces of the stripas well as the side edge surfaces are covered with insulation. Theinsulating material will present the exterior color and by use ofselected colors, various color coordinations with the automobile may beobtained. In these embodiments 90, 100, 110 it is to be observed thatthe heads of the screws will bear against insulating material ratherthan the outer surface of the metal channel. This further tends toinhibit rust and corrosion where there are dissimilar metals involved.Because of the use of plastic to fully encapsulate the cross section, alower grade of metal can be used. In any of the embodiments where theedge guard is cut to length, the ends of the edge guard may have exposedmetal. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 it may be deemed desirable tocover the cut ends and this can be done by paint, plastic, or the likeapplied to the ends.

The embodiment 100 of FIG. 8 is exactly like the embodiment 70 exceptthat insulation is applied to the full extent of the cross section asshown. Likewise the embodiment 110 of FIG. 9 is exactly like embodiment80 of FIG. 6 except that the full cross section is covered by insulatingmaterial.

FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 portray embodiments 120, 130, 140 consisting solelyof metal. While these embodiments are deemed less desirable because theydo not possess the insulating features characteristic of the otherembodiments, they do reflect the basic metal edge guard construction andeach of the embodiments 120, 130, 140 is like the embodiments 24, 70,and 80 except that insulating material is omitted.

FIG. 13 portrays an embodiment 150 similar to FIG. 5 but whereinsulation has been extended around the end edge surface of the metalstrip where the bead 47 has been removed. This type of construction ispossible using the aforementioned manufacturing technique of extrudingthe plastic onto the metal in the flat. Likewise the embodiment 160 ofFIG. 14 is like the embodiment of FIG. 6 but including insulationextending around the distal end edge of the base leg where the bead 47has been omitted.

In all embodiments the edge guard possesses the ability to be conformedto compound curvatures while still causing the distal end of the outerleg to forcefully bear against the exterior surface while the back legbears flat aginst the end surface. The embodiments which illustrate theparticular shape for the sections 48 and 50 and for the outer leg arealso advantageous because of the strength characteristic which theypossess. It is to be appreciated that in the drawing figures therelative proportions may not necessarily be to scale or represent exactproportions since they are intended to be illustrative to principles ofthe invention. While PVC (polyvinylchloride) is a suitable material forthe insulation 42, other insulating materials may be used. Variousmodifications however may be made and while a preferred embodiment ofthe invention has been disclosed it will be appreciated that principlesare applicable to other embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. In combination with the trailing edge of aswinging closure of an automobile wherein the trailing edge is definedby surfaces which intersect at approximately 90 ° to form a corner, oneof said surfaces being an exterior surface of the automobile which isvisible when the swinging closure is in closed position and the othersurface being an end surface, a decorative and protective corner edgeguard for protecting said corner comprising an elongate metal channelprotectively fitting over at least a portion of the length of saidcorner and having an outer leg disposed against exterior surface and aback leg disposed against said end surface, fastening meanscooperatively associated between said back leg and said end surface forcausing said back leg to be urged against said end surface such that asviewed in transverse cross section said fastening means is located at acentral region said back leg and said back leg is caused to bear againstsaid end surface on opposite sides of the location of said fasteningmeans, and said corner edge guard being constructed and arranged suchthat concurrently with the action of said fastening means in forcefullyurging said back leg against said end surface, the distal end of saidouter leg is also forcefully urged against said exterior surface by thedistance from the point of action of said fastening means on said endsurface to said exterior surface relative to the distance from the pointof action of said fastening means on said back leg to the distal end ofsaid outer leg.
 2. A corner edge guard as set forth in claim 1 includingnon-metallic insulating means disposed as a layer between said metalchannel and said corner.
 3. A corner edge guard as set forth in claim 1in which said outer leg and said back leg join by two sections, onebeing of approximately 90° curvature and the other being a curved offsetsection, said two sections cooperatively defining a space between theedge guard and the swinging closure.
 4. A corner edge guard as set forthin claim 3 including a bead at the distal end of said outer leg formedby reverse turning of the distal end of the leg outwardly back againstitself and wherein the exterior of said bead is generally flush with thepoint at which said two sections join together.
 5. A corner edge guardas set forth in claim 3 in which said fastening means comprises a seriesof screws passing through spaced apart holes in said back leg and intocorresponding holes in said end surface.
 6. A corner edge guard as setforth in claim 5 in which said back leg has a shape which allows it tobe urged flat against said end surface by said screws, said back legincluding stiffening means integrally formed in said channel.
 7. Acorner edge guard as set forth in claim 6 including clearence means insaid stiffening means providing for clearance with the heads of thescrews.
 8. A corner edge guard as set forth in claim 7 in which saidstiffening means comprises a bead formed at the distal end of said backleg by reverse turning of the channel outwardly back against itself. 9.A corner edge guard as set forth claim 1 in which said back leg isconstructed and arranged to be urged flat against said end surface bysaid fastening means and including stiffening means cooperativelyassociated with said leg and integrally formed in said metal channel.10. A corner edge guard as set forth in claim 9 in which said stiffeningmeans comprises one or more ridges formed in said channel in a directionso as to protrude away from said end surface.
 11. A corner edge guard asset forth in claim 9 in which said stiffening means comprises a beadformed at the distal end of said back leg by reverse turning of thedistal end of the back leg outwardly against itself.
 12. A corner edgeguard as set forth in claim 1 incuding insulating means fully insulatingthe metal channel, as viewed in transverse cross section.
 13. A corneredge guard as set forth in claim 1 in which a beaded distal end of saidouter leg is formed by reverse turning of the distal end of said outerleg back against itself.
 14. A corner edge guard as set forth in claim13 in which said beaded distal end of said outer leg is formed byreverse turning of the distal end of said outer leg outwardly backagainst itself.
 15. A corner edge guard as set forth in claim 14including insulating means between said beaded distal end of said outerleg and the swinging closure.